Skip to main content

The Best Camera Gear for Landscape Photography

 

The Best Gear for Landscape Photography – According to the World’s Best Landscape Photographers

Landscape photography is the art of capturing the grandeur, subtlety, and mood of the natural world. It requires not just patience and vision, but also the right tools to faithfully translate what the eye sees into an image filled with depth, detail, and drama.

At WhatCameraGear.com, we’ve documented the gear used by some of the world’s most renowned landscape photographers. From iconic film masters to contemporary digital adventurers, this article distills the trends and patterns in their gear choices to help you determine the best gear for landscape photography — based on what the legends actually use.

What Landscape Photographers Look for in Gear

Landscape photography puts a unique set of demands on equipment. Here’s what the greats consistently prioritize:

  • Resolution – to capture fine detail across wide vistas.

  • Dynamic range – to recover highlights and shadows in high-contrast scenes.

  • Lens sharpness and clarity – corner-to-corner performance matters.

  • Weather sealing – essential for mountain, desert, or coastal environments.

  • Tripod compatibility – gear must integrate well with stable tripod use.

  • Portability (sometimes) – for those who hike long distances to reach their scenes.

Most Popular Camera Systems Among the Best Landscape Photographers

After analyzing the gear used by legends such as Ansel Adams, Sebastião Salgado, Edward Burtynsky, Andreas Gursky, Charlie Waite, and newer stars like Max Rive and David Yarrow, five systems emerge as the most trusted by elite landscape shooters.

1. Medium Format Cameras (Hasselblad, Phase One, Fujifilm GFX Series)

Used by: Edward Burtynsky, Andreas Gursky, David Yarrow, Michael Kenna

Medium format cameras are prized for their incredible resolution and tonal richness — the gold standard for gallery prints and commercial fine art.

  • Why they love it:

    • Massive sensors (44x33mm or larger)

    • Unparalleled detail and color depth

    • Beautiful gradations, especially in skies and shadows

  • Popular models:

    • Hasselblad H6D-100c / X2D 100c

    • Fujifilm GFX100 II / GFX50S II

    • Phase One XF IQ4 (for ultra-high-end use)

Fujifilm GFX100 II
see it on Amazon

Hasselblad X2D 100C
see it on Amazon

2. Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras (Sony, Canon, Nikon)

Used by: Max Rive, Marc Adamus, Daniel Kordan, Elia Locardi, Guy Tal

For those who seek a balance between performance, portability, and lens flexibility, modern full-frame mirrorless systems have become the go-to.

  • Why they love it:

    • Excellent resolution (up to 61 MP)

    • Great lens ecosystems

    • Fast live view and EVF for composing in tough light

  • Popular models:

    • Sony A7R V / A7R IV (61 MP)

    • Nikon Z7 II / Z8

    • Canon EOS R5 / R5C

Sony A7R V
see it on Amazon

Nikon Z7 II
see it on Amazon

Canon Eos R5 Mark II
see it on Amazon

3. DSLRs (Canon 5DS R, Nikon D850, Pentax K-1 II)

Used by: Charlie Waite, Sebastião Salgado (Canon DSLRs), Joe Cornish

Though mirrorless is rising, many landscape pros still rely on high-megapixel DSLRs for their ruggedness, optical viewfinders, and tried-and-true reliability in extreme environments.

  • Why they love it:

    • Long battery life

    • Tough bodies

    • Excellent wide-angle lens options

  • Popular models:

    • Nikon D850 (45.7 MP)

    • Canon 5DS R (50.6 MP)

    • Pentax K-1 II (36 MP, excellent weather sealing)

Nikon D850
see it on Amazon


Canon Eos 5D Mark II
see it on Amazon

Pentax K1 Mark II
see it on Amazon

4. Large Format Film Cameras (4x5, 8x10)

Used by: Ansel Adams, Clyde Butcher, Christopher Burkett

The grandmasters of the landscape tradition swore by large-format film. Though not widely used today, it still offers unmatched image quality for ultra-large prints and timeless archival quality.

  • Why they love it:

    • Contact print quality

    • Maximum detail and tonal latitude

    • Fully manual movements for perspective control

  • Popular models:

    • Deardorff 8x10

    • Linhof Technika 4x5

    • Ebony 45S

Deardorff 8 x 10

Linhof Technika 4 x 5 

5. Drones (DJI Mavic, Inspire, Mini Series)

Used by: Daniel Kordan, Michael Shainblum, Toby Harriman

Today’s landscape photographers often include aerial perspectives in their portfolios. With drones, one can compose from vantage points previously unimaginable without a helicopter.

  • Why they love it:

    • New angles and patterns

    • 20MP or more from tiny sensors

    • Lightweight and mobile

  • Popular models:

    • DJI Mavic 3 Pro

    • DJI Air 3

    • DJI Inspire 2 (for high-end video/stills)

DJI Mavic 3 Pro
see it on Amazon

DJI Air 3
see it on Amazon

DJI Inspire 2
see it on Amazon

Most Common Lenses for Landscape Photography

Clarity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and minimal distortion are top priorities. Across all platforms, here are the most frequently used focal lengths:

  • 14–24mm – ultra-wide, dramatic perspective

  • 24–70mm – versatile and sharp, good for most scenes

  • 70–200mm – for isolating distant peaks or compressing scale

  • Tilt-shift lenses – for correcting perspective in architecture or flat scenes

  • Primes (20mm, 35mm, 50mm) – for maximum sharpness and simplicity

Tripods & Essential Accessories

No landscape photographer’s kit is complete without solid, thoughtful extras:

  • Tripods: Gitzo, Really Right Stuff, Benro, Leofoto (carbon fiber recommended)

  • Filters: ND, graduated ND, polarizers (brands: Lee, Nisi, Breakthrough Photography)

  • Remote shutter releases: Wired or Bluetooth

  • Protective gear: Rain covers, dry bags, microfiber cloths

  • Editing tools: Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, Photoshop, Topaz Gigapixel

Film Stocks Used by the Masters

For those still shooting film landscapes:

  • Kodak Ektar 100 – ultra-fine grain and vibrant colors

  • Fujifilm Velvia 50 / 100 – famous for saturation, especially in greens and reds

  • Ilford FP4+ / HP5+ – classic black and white options

Final Thoughts: Precision Over Speed

In contrast to street photography’s spontaneous style, landscape photography rewards deliberation, preparation, and control. Whether you're shooting the northern lights in Norway or the morning fog in Yosemite, your gear should help you slow down and fine-tune your vision.

The best landscape photographers have found tools that combine technical excellence with reliability in the wild. Whether it’s a medium format beast or a lightweight mirrorless camera, the right gear will elevate your vision and your output.

Books on Landscape Photography

The Landscape Photography Book : see it on Amazon

Mastering Landscape Photography : see it on Amazon


Popular posts from this blog

Saul Leiter

  Saul Leiter, renowned for his pioneering work in color street photography, utilized a diverse array of camera gear throughout his career, adapting his equipment choices to his evolving artistic vision.   Here's an overview of the cameras and lenses he employed: Film Cameras Leica M4 : During the 1970s and beyond, Leiter frequently used the Leica M4 for his commercial and fashion photography assignments. Leica M4 Leica CL : For street photography, he often opted for the compact Leica CL, appreciating its portability and discreet profile. Leica CL Canon A-1 and AE-1 : Leiter incorporated these Canon models into his street photography repertoire, valuing their versatility and the availability of quality FD lenses. Canon A1 Canon AE-1 Minox 35 EL : Known for its ultra-compact design, the Minox 35 EL was another camera Leiter used, aligning with his preference for unobtrusive equipment. Minix 35 EL Rolleiflex 6x6 : In his early career, particularly during the 1950s, L...
Read more

Matt Black

Matt Black, a renowned Magnum photographer, is celebrated for his stark black-and-white imagery that delves into themes of poverty, migration, and environmental issues, particularly in California's Central Valley.   His approach to photography is characterized by a minimalist setup, allowing him to focus on storytelling without the distraction of extensive gear. Camera Equipment Olympus Digital Camera : During his extensive travels for the American Geography project, Black utilized an Olympus digital camera (Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II). This choice provided him with a lightweight and reliable tool suitable for long journeys and varied shooting conditions.  Olympus OM-D-E-M5 II Find it on Amazon Sony RX100 II : for some of his work including his "Geography of Poverty" series and for images posted on Instagram, Black used a Sony RX100 II.  Sony RX100 II Find it on Amazon Hasselblad XPan (Panoramic Film Camera) : Complementing his digital work, Black employed a Hasselblad ...
Read more

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson, often called the father of modern photojournalism, is most famously associated with Leica rangefinder cameras and a philosophy centered around the "decisive moment." His gear was intentionally minimalist, allowing him to be discreet, fast, and focused on composition and timing. Camera Bodies Leica Rangefinder Cameras: Cartier-Bresson almost exclusively used Leica 35mm rangefinder cameras throughout his career. He began with the Leica II and Leica III models, both equipped with collapsible 50mm Elmar lenses. After World War II, he transitioned to the Leica M3, which became his main camera for much of his later work. Henri Cartier-Bresson's first Leica Leica M3 Henri Cartier-Bresson's Leica camera Other Formats: On rare occasions, he also used medium format cameras such as the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad, but these were exceptions rather than the rule. Lenses 50mm Lens: His signature lens was the 50mm, most often the collapsible Leica 50mm Summ...
Read more